Derby Bargain Hunt

Today's antiques fair is at Derby University

where our teams are going to get six of the best.

No, not whacks. Antiques!

BELL RINGS

Ha! Saved by the bell.

Thank goodness for that.

Time for break and a spot of bargain hunting.

Today, we're in the world of academia.

For one of our teams, there'll be a first class honours on parade.

For the other, well, I couldn't possibly say.

Coming up - not two but four Bargain Hunt teams,

trying to pass our £300 shopping test.

I wonder if our first lot of Reds and Blues

will still be good pals at the end of term.

We've got two teams of friends. Sarah and Yvonne for the Reds

and Christina and Rosemary for the Blues.

-Hi, girls.

-Hello.

-How are we doing, that's lovely.

-Sarah, how do you two know each other?

-We work together.

Where do you work?

We work in retail.

Do you think you're going to be on a winning team today, Sarah?

Definitely, because we work as a team at work. Going to be a winning team.

-Do you watch the programme a bit?

-Yeah, all the time.

Yvonne, is Sarah a tough boss?

No, she's not. She's not really like my boss, she's more a colleague.

Do you like working in the shop?

I do, because it's in the village where I was born and brought up

so I know everybody that comes in the shop and they just...

-They know you.

-Yeah, they do.

You're providing a social function in the shop, aren't you?

I suppose so, yes!

What fun anyway and very, very good luck.

Now, Christina and Rosemary, how long have you known each other?

12 years. We met at the school gates with our firstborns.

And... What do you do for a living?

I'm a nurse and at the moment I'm taking a year out after having

an operation and looking after my mum.

-And you've got children?

-I have three children - 16, 14 and six.

-Do you reckon you're going to make a good team?

-We're quite opposites.

-We are.

-But we complement each other.

Rosemary, are you likely to agree with Christina?

Our tastes are quite different so when we hit on something we both like,

that's going to be a really good indication that it's a good thing.

My job, I think, mainly is to rein in her excessive enthusiasm.

Good, we're pleased you're here on board to do that very thing.

What do you as your job of work?

I look after software - office support to end users of software.

-Perhaps your skills will come in handy today.

-Let's hope so, yes.

Retentive memory so all those antiques programmes I've been watching,

hopefully some of that will come back to me and I'll remember some details.

-Including Bargain Hunt, I hope.

-Of course.

-Of course.

As a watcher of the programme you'll know that this is the money moment.

Here is the £300, there we go. £300 a head.

You know the rules, your experts await and off you go. Very good luck.

Let's hope there isn't any misbehaviour today

because our experts are going to have to mete out the discipline.

The school rules are simple. Each team has £300 to spend in an hour.

They have to find three items that will make them

the most profit at auction.

Teaching each team wrong from right will be the experts Kate Bliss

and David Harper.

Now, pay attention at the back!

Let's go, guys.

Well, you can spend as much or as little as you like.

There is loads to look at here today.

Can we have a look at this vase? Is it an urn for ashes?

No, it's a vase. Japanese or Chinese Cloisonne.

-Japanese.

-That is Cloisonne.

-It's metal. Feel the weight of it.

-It is, very heavy.

-Bronze.

-That will be Meiji period, I would have thought.

-Probably about '20s.

1900, 1920s.

-What have you got on that?

-65's the very best.

-65, OK.

-Can we just think about that?

-Of course you can.

It's still early days and both teams are shying away

from making a purchase just yet.

-AA badges.

-You see quite a lot of those, actually.

-You do, yeah.

I can't believe how difficult it is. I'm looking around

-and it's really hard.

-I know, and especially when under pressure.

-Do you like the box?

-I do.

-Can we have a look at the box, please?

-Thank you very much.

-It's like crystal.

-It is, nice cut glass.

This is probably part of a bigger toiletries set or a set which

would have been on a lady's dressing table.

You would have had perhaps a little pin tray for jewellery or earrings

and a little box like this for hairpins or something like that.

It's hallmarked here so you've got an English silver top

and then a lovely cut glass base.

-I quite like that.

-Is that your sort of thing, Yvonne?

-I think it's quite...

-It's nice.

Someone could put it on a modern dressing table as well.

-It's quite nice.

-Got another toiletry jar here.

Do you see how the sides are curved there?

The nice thing about this one is not only is the silver

in good condition but this is blank.

Very often these were engraved with monograms.

If we bought the two, what do you think, girls?

-What could you do on the two for us, Madam?

-I could do 40.

As an auctioneer, I would probably estimate these at between

probably 30-40, with the chance that they'd make a little bit more.

-Being conservative, I think that's fair.

-Would you not do 38 for us?

Honestly, I can't. I've shaved as much as I can off at 40, honestly.

-Sorry.

-Do you think that's fair? I think it's worth a shout. Lovely.

With the Reds being cool, calm and collected,

the Blues are beginning to panic.

-David, help!

-We've got some potentials already, haven't we?

Hang on. Something that looks like Clarice Cliff has caught their eye,

but is it the real thing?

That's Clarice Cliff and it might be a bit old.

No, that absolutely is, but I tell you what,

they're going to be too expensive for us.

-No, they're not.

-Go on then, have a look.

-We'll see, let's see. Morning, afternoon.

-Hi.

What's your best price on those?

What can you really... On the cream one, the best price would be 129

but I wouldn't come lower than that, I'm afraid.

-It's not signed?

-No. You're more than welcome to have a look.

It's got the pattern number, honey glaze, the Wilkinson factory.

-It's all there bar one thing.

-It hasn't got the signature?

It hasn't got the signature and it doesn't have

that typical Clarice Cliff vibrancy and modern look to it.

-What's the absolute death on it?

-129.

-Absolutely, absolutely?

-I can't go any less than that.

-Would you be making a profit at 120?

-At 120? A small one, yes.

-Would you go for that?

-If you smile nicely, yes. Of course I will.

-On three - one, two, three.

Beautiful.

Our teams better get a move on. We're nearly halfway through.

Now, time for a quick lesson which I shall call the bonus buy.

Right, you 'orrible lot! Snodgrass, pay attention.

Here are the bonus buy rules.

Two teams. They're each given £300 and they spend a + b + c.

Left-over lolly given to expert. Piece of skirt - must be Kate Bliss.

She joins the bald eagle, one with the beardo. That's David Harper.

They take their money to the auction.

= d. Oi! What are you doing? Chucking bits of paper around.

The green line is the probability of profit for the bonus buy.

If you lot understand that,

then you'll all be allowed to go home early.

No more nonsense. Right, on with the shopping.

With 20 minutes to go, the Blues seem to have given up on the bling

-and happened on something more interesting.

-Do you know what it is?

-No, is it a fruit bowl.

-Yeah, or just simply a small charger.

Something to decorate a wall. Any idea where you think it's from?

-It looks very Oriental.

-Ro, what do you think?

I would have said Japanese.

You two are very good. Jolly good. It is Japanese. It's Imari.

-You've heard of Imari?

-Yes.

-Hand-painted and very decorative.

-I think it's really nice.

-Shall we say 25?

-We can try. I'd be prepared to go for 20.

-Risk it and take 20?

-I'll risk it and take 25.

-Yes, please.

-25, yeah.

-Great.

-Thank you very much.

-Lovely.

You two make good decisions and quick decisions, I think.

Good going, Blues, and now it's the Reds who are behind.

-Has Kate gone a bit potty?

-I'm the Mobo Toy-toise. I lead, you follow.

They'll need to be quicker than a tortoise

if they're going to finish their shop in an hour.

What we've got here is a lovely bit of Derby porcelain, actually.

I quite like that.

This is all hand-painted and there's your Derby mark,

always in an iron red colour

and it's sort of a 19th Century piece, I would say.

Probably 1800-1820ish.

We've got moulded flowers here

and then a little bit of gilt just to set it off.

At auction, could be anything from £20 to 40ish.

The main thing is it is Derby.

If it's going to sell anywhere, it's going to sell here.

-What's your best on that?

-40.

-Is that your rock bottom?

-I'll do another 2 - 38.

-Do you like it, girls?

-I'd like that on my dresser.

-I think it'd go in any room.

-I think at 38, we've got a chance.

-Yeah.

-Everybody's happy.

-We'd better do the deal. Yes, please, Madam.

-Well done, Reds.

Now, the Blues haven't moved at all.

In fact, they're still looking at plates.

-Here we are.

-Blimey. Gosh, that's quality, isn't it?

When you're under the light, you can see all this really gleaming,

reflecting what looks like gold.

-It is gold, isn't it? Tell her, Tim.

-Hello.

-Talking of gold.

-That's fun, isn't it? Why are you bonkers about plates?

-We weren't.

-We set out looking for silver.

-Yes.

-They're just bonkers, Tim.

-It's just the colours.

-We're just going for the colours.

It is glorious.

The back is beautifully decorated.

-Know that mark is the Fukagawa family mark.

-Right.

-Gosh.

If it's Japanese, that would be well...

Precise dates, I'm impressed by that.

-I think Fukagawa is the moment I should leave on!

-Yes.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

-That's the name of the factory.

-Do you think we'll make a profit on this?

-Yes, I do.

-I really do.

-It looks like it's in very good condition.

-It does.

I think you've got good eyes there, girls, because it is quality.

-It screams quality.

-It's 125.

-Do you think it's a good price he's asking?

-I do.

-Will I see if I can knock it down a bit?

-Yes, try a little bit.

Worth a try.

-Hello.

-Hi there. Can I help you?

Yes, we've had a good look at your plate.

-Right, yes.

-We'd like to make you an offer?

-Am I going to be hypnotised?

-You're making a good offer.

-You just wait.

-I've got 125 on it.

-The very best is 100.

-OK. Try looking into my eyes.

-I am, yes.

-95.

-95. OK.

-95.

-We'll do 95.

-Thank you very much, brilliant. Pleasure.

That David's always being mistaken for Paul McKenna.

Still, seems to do the trick. The Blues have got their three items.

Let's keep going, girls. Let's go round the corner.

With only a few minutes left, the Reds need to make a quick decision.

That's Derby.

-How much is that?

-I can do that for 75.

-What do you think?

-No, I don't like it.

-You said you like relatively plain things.

Is that a bit elaborate for you?

It's got a bit too much detail and too much going on on there.

-Do you like that, Yvonne?

-Yeah, I quite like that.

Do you know, I think that is in super condition.

I think that's a stunning little dessert dish.

How much do you think it's going to fetch at auction?

I would say at auction, if the right Derby collector is there,

that could fetch you anything between 50 and £80, I would say.

I'd prefer not to pay 75. What can you do for us, Sir?

-70 quid, what did you want to pay?

-£50.

-I can't, honestly.

-At least you've got 50 quid, ain't you?

-Can't do 50 quid on it.

-55 then.

-Give me 60 quid.

-I think it's worth a go.

-Yeah.

-Thank you, Sir.

We'll take it.

Tick, tick, tick, tock. The time is up.

Let's remind ourselves what the teams bought.

First lot were those two toiletry jars at £40.

Then two lots of Derby - this floral decorated plate at £38

and the dessert dish at £60.

-That was a rush against time, wasn't it?

-Definitely, yes.

You spent £138, I'd like £162, please. Here we go.

£162 of left-over lolly. For Kate, again, find that magical bonus buy.

In my hot little hands. How difficult is that going to be?

It's going to be quite tricky. The girls

were fairly conservative in their purchases in that

-they haven't blown a huge amount on one piece.

-They work in a shop.

-Absolutely.

-You've got to be careful if you work in a shop.

-I've got it in my hot little hand.

-You're going to go and blow the lot.

Brilliant. Let's remind ourselves of what the Blues bought.

Their hearts were set on this conical sugar shaker at £120

but is it Clarice Cliff?

The Blues gave up on the bling and like the reds went in for plates.

The first one - the Japanese Imari at £25

and the second, the Fukugawa at £95.

Now there's a name not to be messed with.

You didn't buy what you thought you were going to buy, did you?

-No.

-Not at all.

-You had good fun?

-We did, very much so.

You spent £240, which we're really pleased with,

and we'd like £60 of left-over lolly which goes straight to David Harper.

-Thank you very much.

-What are you going to do with that?

I'm going to try and satisfy the bling desire.

-Bling that makes plenty of profit, please.

-I'll try my best.

Excellent, David. Thank you very much.

Profit is what we're after so we're paying our first visit

to Bamfords in Derbyshire to see if our purchases will pay their way.

Auctioneer James Lewis has cast a critical eye over our items.

-Welcome.

-Thank you. Yvonne and Sarah's first up

are two bits of cut glass with a solid silver mount.

They're lovely, nice quality and the silver hasn't been over-polished.

It hasn't got too many holes in it. I like those.

-How much then for the two pieces?

-£40-60.

-OK, £40 paid so that's a good start, isn't it?

-Fine, should be a profit.

-What about this Derby plate?

-That's not great, really.

Derby in the early 19th Century

concentrated on the thickness of their body so they didn't have

a massive wastage in the kiln so they were making it like slabs

of clay and that isn't the best Derby porcelain.

£25-35, something like that.

They paid £38 so they'll be lucky if they get a profit out of it.

-Yes, they will.

-The third piece is a bit of Derby but infinitely better.

-Much better.

-Same sort of period but a much better quality.

-1820-1825 or so. I think that'll do well.

-How well?

-£40-60?

-They paid £60 for it.

-They've got a chance.

I would think quite a good chance.

Depending on how you get on, James, will determine whether

they leave the bonus buy or not so let's go and have a look at it.

-Sarah, what's happened to Yvonne?

-Yvonne's husband

has actually got a hospital appointment,

he's not very well.

-I'm here on my own.

-Are you?

-She's off to tend to her husband and is leaving all the fun to you.

-Yes.

OK, you gave Kate £162.

What we want to see is what she spent it on and I would guess

it's something rectangular and flat.

-And big. Thank you.

-That is nice, I do like that.

-Do you like this?

-Yes.

There we go. This is a continental circular plaque.

It's of a courtier, I would say.

Probably 19th century but his dress is earlier.

How much did you spend on this item?

Well, I spent £100 so I had a good go at spending all that you left me.

-Do you think Yvonne would have liked it if she was here?

-Yeah.

There you have it. For the audience at home, let's find out

what the auctioneer thinks about the plaque.

What do you make of that?

Well, it's decorative, isn't it?

If it was handpainted, if it was Vienna

or a wonderful 19th-century piece of top quality,

you'd be looking at £5-10,000 for it.

-What are we looking at here then?

-50 quid.

-That's marvellous, isn't it? Was it £50-100?

-About that.

£100 was paid by Kate Bliss for this in the fond hope

that it's going to be translated into a bonus buy.

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues.

First up is the Wilkinson's castor which is trying to be special.

-I just don't think it is.

-Do you see that as a £120 pop?

-That won't make 120, I don't think.

-What do you think it will make then?

-£40-60.

-Oh Lordy. I think we'd better move on smartly.

Into Japan now, we've got a seriously boring Imari plate here.

Unfortunately, it never sank on the way over.

-It might just sink in the auction.

-It might do.

-It wasn't expensive, it was £25.

-Oh well.

-It does just kind of sum up

the sort of average low-grade stuff

that you can't expect to turn into a big profit, really, can you?

They might, if they're lucky, break even. £10-20 but they might get 25.

OK, fine. Better quality and seriously much jollier

is this Fuku fellow's plate here.

It's absolutely super. Lovely quality,

gilding's not worn so yes, it's got everything going for it.

-How much?

-£80-120.

-Fine, £95 paid.

-Oh, good.

-That's all quite snug, isn't it?

-Yes it is.

Depending on how the conical castor gets on,

the die will be cast for this team and they may well need

their bonus buy so let's go and have a look at it.

Christina and Rosemary, this is the reveal moment.

You spent £240, which is magnificent.

You gave David Harper £60 to buy your bonus buy, what did he buy?

It's a lipstick.

-You liar.

-It isn't really.

-It's very light.

-It's a sealing wax holder.

Can you imagine writing a letter, you need to seal it with your stamp

and your signet ring with your mark.

You'd hold that over a candle, drip the wax onto the paper

and stamp it and seal it. Lovely thing. Sit on your desk.

-How much is it?

-How much do you think? I had 60 quid left.

Is it real silver? Solid silver, I would say £50. I'd pay £50 for it.

I would, I paid 60.

-OK.

-I spent every last penny on it.

-What do you think, Rosemary?

I think it's very light. I'm not impressed.

-Well, it seems to me you've got a 50/50 split here, David.

-Yes.

It'll be interesting when we get to the auction.

But, right now, for the audience at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about... it.

There you go, James.

Quite an unusual little object, that, isn't it?

I've never seen one, so it's difficult to put an estimate on it

without having seen one before.

-Looks as if it's out of a travelling set of some form, doesn't it?

-Hmm.

The hallmark is there, and it's got a little V-shaped clip

to push it in to hold the wax in place.

-So, no, I think it's absolutely right.

-How much for a collector?

I think all of this type of thing

tend to make around the same sort of estimate, around 30-£50.

OK, £60 he's paid. David's quite hopeful about that for £60.

-It's interesting, but...

-Yes, he might just get that.

-But it's not going to be a huge profit?

-No, don't think so.

-Are you taking the sale today?

-I am.

-Very good, we're in safe hands.

Now, Sarah, Yvonne's sadly not here, you're all on your own.

-How are you feeling? Are you nervy?

-No, I'm feeling excited.

-Are you?

-Yes.

-There's not many people who have to stand here alone

and take this on board.

-She's very good.

-She is very good, yeah. Very good.

First up, though, is the cut glass pots. Here they come.

The silver-mounted circular jar and cover, 32 for the two.

At £30, and two do I see?

32 waving, 35, 38. 38 and 40, and two beats it.

-42 for you?

-You're in profit.

-Yes!

-42 in the doorway,

42, 45 now. At £42, any advance at 42?

A profit's a profit. £42, well done, Katie. It's plus £2. Superb.

Lot 601, the Derby porcelain dish, there it is,

and I can start the bidding at £25.

28, do I see? Absentee bid will take it at 25. 28, now.

28, and 30, 30 and two.

32, 35, 38?

No? At 35 with me, 38 now?

At £35.

£35, bad luck, minus three, which means overall you're minus one.

-That's not ridiculous.

-Derby porcelain shell-shaped dish.

It's a lovely piece of early 19th century porcelain, and £60 starts it.

At 60, and five now.

At £60 and five, do I see? Five, 70, five.

It's against you again at £70. It's with me at 70.

£70 is plus £10. That's OK.

Overall, then, you are plus £9, which is brilliant, isn't it?

-Yes, definitely.

-What are we going to do, then?

What are we going to do about the plaque?

I don't know. I think I'm going to leave it, I think I'm going to stick.

So, no bonus buy, but we're going to sell it anyway, so stand by, Kate.

And I can start the bidding at £55, and 60 now.

60 anywhere?

At 55, and 60? 60 and five, 70?

At 65, 70 do I see? At 65, 70 anywhere? At £65...

-£65, bad luck. That is minus £35.

-You're a very wise girl.

You certainly are! You and Yvonne are no fools.

-Now, that could be a winning score.

-Could be.

Plus £9 overall, well done.

-Don't tell the Blues, yeah?

-No, I won't tell them.

So, Christina and Rosemary, have you been talking to the remaining Red?

-No!

-No? You've not been talking to Sarah?

-No.

Good, because we don't want you to know her result.

First lot up is the sugar caster.

48 starts it, 50 now.

At 48, and 50 do I see? 50, five.

(Come on.)

At £55.

Go on, one more. 60 by the door. 65, and 70 takes it.

70, yes? Free coffee in the coffee shop!

Go on, write him a cheque.

-AUCTIONEER:

-No, at £65 it's with me.

All done at 65, anybody else?

-Oh!

-Rosemary, that's minus £55, darling.

-Shhh... Quiet!

-What?

-Shh, quiet!

-That's not good, Rosemary.

-No, it's not good.

-Sorry about that.

Now, Imari plate, here it comes.

There we are, the little Japanese plate, one bid on it,

so I'll start it £10, at the lower estimate, and 12 do I see?

12 waving, 12, 15, 18 sir.

18, 20, and two beats it. At £20 with me,

and two do I see? At £20, the absentee bid.

At £20, do I see 22?

Christina, that's minus £5 for you, darling.

-Minus 60 overall.

-Here's the big one.

The Japanese Fukagawa plate, or charger.

95 starts it. 100 do I see?

At 100 standing, sir, and five, 110 for you.

-Yes, oh, yes!

-110 in the room, 120 now.

At 110 standing, 120 do I see?

At 110, any advance?

110. All I can say is Fukagawa!

THEY LAUGH

That's a very good thing. It's a profit of £15.

David, you are brilliant, that's great.

-Overall, girls, I'm afraid you are minus £45.

-OK.

-Minus 45.

What are you going to do about the wax holder?

-Are you going to have a punt at that?

-I think so.

So we're going with the bonus buy, and here it comes.

The Edwardian silver-handled wax holder.

One bid of 30, one bid higher. 32 starts it.

35 now. At 35, 38 with me, and 40.

It's against you.

At 38, do I see 40 anywhere?

-Yes, yes, come on!

-At £38. 40.

-Yeah!

42, 45. One more?

45, 48 now.

At 45 in the room.

At 45, 48 do I see?

Anybody else? At 45...

£45, and you're minus 15. Bad luck, boy.

You're minus 60.

-Never mind.

-Minus £60 overall.

-I thought it was going to take off, David, I really did.

-I did.

He did well with it, didn't he?

Right, so minus £60, girls, all right? Don't tell the Red anything.

-No! OK, we won't.

-The Red, the singular Red.

-The singular Red.

Anyway, well done, you're great sports.

So, the bosom pals in blue took second place,

while the retail specialists in red took the top prize for bargain hunting.

Coming up, we have more fun and games

as our second lot of teams take to the floor.

Before all that, I fancy a bit of a stroll.

I'm just over 20 miles from London at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire,

which has been passed down through 13 generations

and is still owned and lived in by the family today.

Old Henry VIII took it over in the 16th century

when he suppressed the monasteries and confiscated land and riches from the church.

Hatfield was used mainly as a home for his children,

and it was the childhood home of Elizabeth I.

It ended up in the hands of Robert Cecil,

son of the queen's trusted advisor,

and it's been occupied since 2003 by Lord and Lady Salisbury.

Over the years, the house has received many important guests,

including no lesser personage than King James I,

twice, in 1611 and 1616,

and this room is named after him.

Indeed, he is here in person, in a way,

above the fireplace,

because this fireplace was exquisitely crafted by Maximilian Colt

at that period to commemorate the king's visits.

It rather looks as if he's in bronze,

stuck in that niche above the mantelpiece.

Actually, he's carved out of stone

and has been coloured to simulate bronze.

But just look at the craftsmanship that's been lavished on the marble itself,

those different colours,

the exquisitely carved details, those outset black columns

with Corinthian capitals, and lovely cabochon-carved shields in the plinths.

In short, they've treated the fireplace as an exquisite work of art,

and we're just a couple of years shy

from that fireplace's 400th birthday.

How very strange, then, to come to the other side of the room

and discover this piece of furniture,

which is just shy of its second birthday,

commissioned by the present Lord Salisbury in 2005,

and crafted by cabinet maker Rupert Brown.

This is a desk that's basically Georgian in form,

with two kneeholes and a green leather top,

the traditional kneehole writing table.

But if you look at it in detail, just look at these corners.

See those corners?

They're not traditional Georgian corners, they're trees!

Here, we've got an organic tree growing out of the plinth

and forming the corner of the desk.

Look down the sides and the front,

and you've got a series of trees

that are either carved out of the corners or inlaid in-between.

Quite extraordinary, isn't it?

Don't let anyone say that quality and craftsmanship

aren't available in Great Britain in the 21st century.

Will our second bunch of teams find similar craftsmanship to buy

at Derby University with their £300 budget?

They're ready and waiting, so let's meet them.

For the Reds, we have workmates, friends, colleagues, Sam and Ian.

And for the Blues, we've got mother and son. James and Anita.

-Welcome to Bargain Hunt.

-Thank you.

-Hi.

-Hello.

-So, you two met through work. What do you do?

-We're farmers, Tim.

-And what sort of farm have you got?

-It's mixed.

-So how many head of cows are there knocking about?

-180.

-And these girls need milking, how many times a day?

-Twice, Tim.

-Twice a day.

And how long does it take you to milk 180 head of cattle?

-About an hour and a half.

-Is that all?

Sam, how did you finish up by farming?

I've always enjoyed farming, I've always done it when I was a young lad, my dad was a farmer,

-his dad was a farmer, it's in the blood.

-You couldn't do anything else.

-No.

-Is it good fun? Do you enjoy it?

-Yeah, I enjoy it.

-Yeah, I love farming.

What makes you two think you're going to be any good on Bargain Hunt?

Very good question!

I think you're going to do very well on Bargain Hunt. Now, James, what do you do?

I'm a student, I'm doing three-dimensional design.

Oh, what does that mean?

It's furniture, silversmithery and jewellery and ceramics. You design it and make it.

And what about you, Anita, what do you do?

I do freelance work from home and restore Victorian antique dolls,

and do landscape watercolour paintings on commission.

-So you're incredibly creative, as a pair.

-Well, we try! We try to be.

I think our farming friends should be quaking in their boots at that!

Now the money moment. Here comes your £300.

-300 smackers, there you go.

-Thank you very much, Tim.

You know the rules, your experts await, off you go!

They may well be animal lovers,

but we can't let them loose without the help of a human helping hand.

For the red team, Kate Bliss, who's in fine fettle.

And for the Blues, cool cat David Harper, who always gets the cream!

-Right, we have one hour exactly, shall we go for it?

-Yes, absolutely.

-Lead the way.

There is loads to see here, guys. Top floor here and there's quite a bit downstairs.

-I thought we'd have a look in the dark corners round here.

-Okey-dokey.

-Yeah, no probs.

-That's unusual.

-Unusual items.

-Policeman's rattle. Early 1800s.

Early 1800s? That's quite a rare beast.

It certainly makes a racket!

Do you know why it's a police rattle as opposed to a football fan's rattle?

-No.

-Any ideas?

-Doesn't look any different.

-Not much different.

Apart from the finial. Police regulations, you know the police are very big on regulations.

-Oh, yeah. Health and safety.

-Health and safety! They weren't allowed to do that.

-Probably because they might whack themselves.

-Knock someone out.

-Or themselves out, even worse!

They had to hold it in one hand, grab the finial and do this.

And that was to attract attention, before the use of whistles.

-Have a feel of that, it's very tactile, isn't it?

-It is, yeah.

-You want a feel?

-Give it a turn, Mum.

-It's brilliant, isn't it?

-Do you like it?

-Yeah, I do.

-I really like that.

-I think we need to get a price.

-Shall we get a price on it?

I think we need to try and get it down.

# I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the...#

After making a racket, they got the rattle down to £40. What a racket!

So five minutes into their shop and the Blues have made their first purchase.

Things aren't so hot, though, for the Reds!

That's lovely. Out of our price range I'm afraid, guys.

Furniture doesn't do too well, does it?

Not satisfied with just one quirky buy,

the Blues have spotted another mystery item.

-Wooden barrel cigarette holder.

-That's unusual.

The downside is that people don't smoke much now, do they?

It's funny, because smoking "things" are still collected.

They were always very good news a number of years ago.

-That's probably Edwardian. Maybe 1920s.

-I quite like that, don't you?

-It's an unusual design, isn't it?

-It's not bad, made out of oak.

You fill it up with your cigarettes, and if you go like that...

the cigarette will pop out and stand on your holder.

-That's good.

-It's very cute and quirky.

-Has it got a price on it?

-It's priced up at £18.

-£18.

-It's no money, is it?

-It isn't, no.

Especially if we can get it down.

James, you fancy yourself as a bit of a king negotiator, don't you?

-The pressure's on now, though.

-Are we agreed that we want it?

-Yeah.

I think so, if we can get it for the right price.

Let's say we're going to have it. It's £18.

-You go away and do your best.

-OK.

-Go on.

-Good luck!

What's the absolute best you can do on this?

-Let's have a look.

-It's marked up at £18.

It's got £18 on it, the very best would be £14.

-Could you do it for £12?

-I couldn't, I'm afraid. That is the very best.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-Right.

-It's a nice piece.

-It is.

-It's a bit quirky.

-OK, yeah, £14?

-OK?

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

How pleasant. This is turning out into rather a nice day for the Blues.

I love a bit of furniture, furniture is my first love, in actual fact.

It hasn't been doing very well,

but it's just starting to do very well, furniture, now.

The Reds, however, seem to be rather more particular.

-You don't like it, either.

-£35?

-Don't worry, guys, we'll find something.

It's a lovely silver ink well. It's £175 it's marked at, though.

-Have you found anything?

-No, nothing, we're panicking!

Kate's got her work cut out!

But the Blues have got completely sidetracked

and are just having a good old jolly.

-I would quite like that. How much is it?

-£7.

-Oh, I think I'll need to put that one by!

My own collection!

I think we should try and buy something a bit more expensive.

-A bit more, yeah.

-Life couldn't get any better for the Blues.

But the Reds are already starting to feel the pressure.

-We're fairly tight on time, we haven't got anything solid yet.

-I know!

-It's tricky, isn't it?

Right, guys, where shall we go? Have a think.

-It's really difficult, this.

-Hello!

-It's like a day in the park for you!

-How are you getting on? All right?

-Yes, we're enjoying it, it's super, yeah.

Now you've bought two things very, very quickly.

-And now you're just strolling around!

-We are, yes.

-Anyway, have a great time and good luck with the last item.

-Thank you.

They sure haven't scored the jackpot with the shopping yet,

-so it looks like the Reds are finding other ways to score.

-I bet you can't do it again.

Made in England, so it's post 1940, obviously.

It's a little bit of the remains of an old label on the back there, look.

-I like that, I think we should go for that.

-It's unique, I haven't seen one before.

I haven't. I think, without the name on it, then it might get a bit lost and we'd be struggling.

But with that Chad Valley name, I think that's going to really draw some collectors.

-£35. It's not too bad.

-No, no, no.

-I'd prefer to see it at about £25.

-We need to get that a bit lower.

-Hang on, look at this.

-It's got its box as well!

-I'm happy with that.

-Why don't I go and see what I can do, what do you think?

-OK.

-Yeah.

All right, keep hunting, guys.

Over half an hour in and the Reds have made their first purchase, hurrah!

OK, guys, you know that game? £30 is the lowest.

-I've tried everything but he's not going any lower. Happy?

-Yeah.

OK, brilliant, I'll catch you up.

David has decided to help the Blues pass the time by educating them

in the art. This is called an Nyaminyami stick.

And I know where it's from, it's from Zimbabwe. It's from Lake Kariba, the Zambezi valley way.

I know that because I used to live there,

so I've had a number of Nyaminyami sticks in my time.

This here is Nyaminyami, the goddess of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi river.

And the Reds are getting an education of their own from Kate.

-This box is made from the Elizabeth Oak at Heveningham.

-Oh!

Now, if this is silver gilt in here, guys,

and I would think that there's a strong possibility it might be,

you can see the white metal showing through there,

I think that is a very collectable little box.

The stall holder said he'd do it for £80 for us, I think that that is worth a gamble.

And, what's more, if we can find out where Heveningham is,

and do a little bit of research also about this Elizabethan oak tree before the auction,

get them to put that in the catalogue, I think this might be worth a gamble.

Could be on a winner, could it?

It could be a couple of hundred pounds, if that's silver gilt. If we can find the provenance.

Let's go for it.

After getting carried away enjoying themselves, the Blues realise that they may have been

a bit frivolous with their time!

-We've got just over ten minutes. It goes like that, doesn't it?

-It does, yeah.

So with tight time, our teams need to pull their finger out.

What do you think? We looked at hatpins earlier.

Now this one is special, because it's got a little initial

-there that you can just see. Can you see that?

-Just, yeah.

That CH stands for Charles Horner, who was based in Halifax, known for making thimbles and jewellery,

but also really majored on designing and manufacturing hatpins.

So this is silver, Art Nouveau if you like in date,

but also a very military symbol of the Grenadier Guards.

So that makes it quite commercial in itself.

-I think it's quite a sweet little pin.

-How much is it?

-What is your very best, sir?

-The very best I can do is £20.

So what do you think about that?

-I think we should go for it.

-Yeah, you happy?

-Happy.

-OK, just pop it in here for you.

-I think that's our three bits.

Tell you what, I'm thirsty - what do you reckon?

-Very thirsty.

-Is it your round? Mind, we have a bit left over.

-It might be.

-Got a bit left over, haven't we?

-Come on then!

# I am a cider drinker! #

So the Reds have managed to pip the Blues to the post.

But there will be no cider drinking for the Blues yet,

as they have left their final buy to the last minute.

Have a look inside there.

Some sort of building.

-Yes, but what is that?

-It's a magnifying glass.

-It's magnifying, isn't it, yeah?

-Hold it up to your eye.

-What can you see?

It says across the bottom Buxton Crescent, that's not far from us.

-We know Buxton very well.

-Do you recognise it?

Still got the little carriages in, so it's old.

I think this is very interesting. Let me have a look in there.

You two are hogging it.

Oh, look at the carriages, they're absolutely fantastic, and the horses.

-It looks about 1840s, looking at the carriages.

-Sounds about right.

Do you know exactly what that was for?

No.

It was a tourist piece. Cheap ones would have been little wooden boxes.

This is made out of alabaster, with a brass base to the lid there, for a little bit of attachment.

-I love it.

-I think we want to buy it as long as it is within budget. How much have we got left? Loads.

-We've got quite a bit.

-We haven't spent too much.

I tell you what we don't have, we don't have much time. We've got minutes now.

I think we'd really go for that.

Well, it's subject to price, isn't it?

-Do you want me to go and have a word with the chappy?

-Yes.

OK, there he is over there.

Cor! Talk about the last minute!

But the Blues bag the magnifier for £100 with moments to spare.

Our teams have hunted high and low to find those pieces they hope will make a profit later at auction.

Now it's up to the expert to take their leftover lolly

and have that difficult task of finding items to boost their profits

Those pieces will be revealed later at the auction.

If they go with the item, then it will boost their profit.

If they don't and it bombs, it could just blow them out of the water!

Bang!

Lordy! It took The Reds a while to make any decisions,

but they were all game for the 1950s Chad Valley pinball game.

They parted with £80 for the Victorian oak snuff box.

Not to be sniffed at!

And it caught Ian's eye, the Charles Horner silver hatpin.

-Well, that was a very slow start, wasn't it? Then you put a spurt on.

-Finally got going.

You spent £130, which is pretty modest.

-And you're going to give me £170 of left over lolly for Kate.

-Lovely.

Kate, you come from an agricultural area, have you been bonding with your team?

Do you know, us bumpkins, we get on really well together.

-Do you keep any livestock yourself?

-Just a husband!

Now what are you going to spend all that money on?

They bought some really nice things, but I'm going for something rustic.

-For a country area?

-Absolutely.

-Good luck with that.

Let's remind ourselves what the Reds are up against by reminding ourselves what the Blues bought.

The Blues made a lot of noise with the 19th Century wooden rattle.

They were quick off the mark with their second buy,

the cigarette barrel case.

And a third of their budget went on this unusual 1840s magnifying box

So we don't really need to give you two guys an hour to go shopping?

-They just need what, 20 minutes, something like that.

-15 will do.

So cool, I mean, I can't tell you.

-You spent £154. I'd like £146, there we go.

-Thank you.

-David, there's 146.

-Good show.

-How's your shopping been?

-Very quick.

-Yes? Nice, isn't it?

-It's brilliant, why don't they make them all like that?

-Yes, quite.

We'll watch very carefully - good luck.

The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding. So we're taking all our buys back up the M1.

We're bound for Bamfords Auction House in Derby, with auctioneer, James Lewis.

-James, it's a treat!

-It's great to have you.

-Thank you very much.

Now, our team, Sam and Ian, their first item is the mini-bagatelle.

Toys generally are not the easiest thing to sell,

but with the Chad Valley name on there, there's always a collectors' market for them.

-So what's this thing worth?

-About £20 to £30.

-OK, £30 paid.

Kate found it, she loved it. Now the Victorian oak snuff box.

It's lovely, a lovely colour.

What do you make about this inscription, this Heveningham Hall?

Heveningham was in Suffolk and it's where Elizabeth The First was known to hang out, go hunting and have fun.

-OK, how much?

-£70 to £100.

-£80 paid.

-Oh, fine.

So that's pretty well on the money. The Charles Horner wee hatpins.

First World War period I should think. I like it, I think it's going to make £20 or £30.

-£20 paid.

-Oh fine.

So depending on how the box goes, they may or may not need the bonus buy, so let's have a look at it.

So chaps, you did incredibly well by spending £130.

-You gave £170 to Kate. What did she spend it on?

-I bought you a picture.

-Very nice.

-That's nice.

I've done something which I don't normally do on Bargain Hunt, I bought against my better judgment.

But I was drawn into this picture for various reasons.

-It is a pen and ink drawing, although it looks like a print.

-It does.

The thing I liked about it is not only the amazing architectural detail,

but the fact it has another string to its bow as it were, because it does have Masonic interest.

-How much did you pay for this?

-I did pay £120.

Now, I have to say to you boys, that is a bit of a gamble.

Sam and I are speechless here, aren't we? Without speech.

Reminds me of the Dark Ages.

There we go, it takes all sorts. For the viewers at home, let's trot off

and find out what James Lewis thinks about Kate's little picture.

Now, James tell me, how unsaleable has that got to be?

You know it's an original pen and ink, but who on earth is going to want that?

-Will it make a £10 note?

-Oh, it will make more than that.

-More than £10.

-£30.

-It will make £30.

-Something like that.

-Well, I can tell you now that £120 was paid for it.

-No!

So we have to cross our fingers that the teams don't go with this bonus buy.

I'll glare at them and put them off!

-No, you mustn't do that. You've got to play a straight bat to this.

-OK.

That's it for the Reds. Now for the Blues.

Anita and James, their first item is this so-called police rattle.

Not the most saleable things, I don't think.

-Do you think it will bring £40?

-No.

-No.

-That's the big question.

-Is that what they paid?

-They did pay £40.

We'll try and get there, but it might make about £30.

-Next is that cigarette barrel box.

-Oh, dear. That is a complete shocker.

-They only paid £14.

-I'd love to be wrong, I really would.

Knowing your enthusiasm, James Lewis, you'll probably make £200 with it.

Oh now, there's the pressure!

And the last item, which I think is divine and very much you and Derbyshire,

is this little magnifying box.

It's great, I love this.

Not only has it got these little scenes of Derbyshire, important places in Derbyshire in it,

but it also is made from Derbyshire alabaster.

-£40 to £60, it may make a bit more.

-Is that all?

-Oh, dear!

-This will be a grave disappointment to David Harper, because he paid £100 for this.

-Did he?

So they're going to need their bonus buy and let's go and have a look at it.

Now Anita and James, you gave David Harper £146, for better or for worse

-OK, I bought myself - or for you - a cat.

-Oh, my word.

-Impressed or what?

It's Bretby. Have you heard of Bretby? Local Derbyshire factory, founded 1893, this one's about 1915.

I think it's quite rare, because normally it's a full cat, without the posy holder.

How much do you reckon he paid?

-I don't know, 60?

-35.

-Oh well that's not bad, is it?

-That's not bad.

Hold that thought, but for the benefit of the viewers at home,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about David's little cat.

So, James, a bit more Derbyshire for you.

Yes, Bretby. You either love it or hate it, don't you?

It's not the finest stuff in the world. But for people that love

Bretby it will do OK, and there are plenty here.

-How much will it bring?

-She'll make about £30 to £40.

Well, great, David paid £35 for his bonus buy. He's spot on there in the middle.

-Brilliant. Are you taking this sale?

-Yes.

-You sound a bit croaky, are you all right?

-Yeah, just.

-Go and have a quick gargle.

-I might just do.

35, 38.

-Now, Sam and Ian, how are you feeling?

-Fine. Very good.

-What about you?

-Nervous.

-What have you got to be nervous about?

-Well, profits and losses, Tim.

-Is that what it is?

-More profits!

-Well!

This is exciting. Here it comes, here comes the bagatelle.

Wonderful little Chad Valley bagatelle game in its original box.

Where shall we start this? Memories of childhood at £20 bid.

At 20 and 2 do I see? At £20. 22. 25. 28.

Against you at 25. Any advance?

At 28. 28. No. 28 with you. It's against the commission now.

By the column at 28. Might make more in a toy sale you never know.

You can have a gamble at £28. At 28 and selling. Yours sir.

£28, that Kate, minus £2.

Well... now the snuff box.

The snuff box, lovely colour to the oak. I can start the bidding, we've got three bids on it.

The lowest one is 60, the other bid is 85, so £90 starts it and 5 do I see?

At £90 and 5 now. At 90, all on commission.

At 90 and selling at 90. £90.

£90, that's very good, plus £10. You are overall plus 8. Good.

Next is the silver hatpin. Military interest as well.

Probably by Charles Horner, one of the best silver hatpin makers.

I've got two bids on it, one is £14 and one is higher.

So 16 starts it. 18 anywhere? 18 in the pink, 18 and 20 and 2.

22. 25. 28. Oh, go on, one more.

26, meet you halfway. 26 well done.

28 here. 28. 30?

29, meet you halfway again. No? At £28 it's here.

-£30 bid. 32.

-Ah, new bidder!

Go on, have two bids. 32. 35. 38. 40. 2.

At £40. Any advance? Are you coming back?

Sure? At £40 standing, well done.

At 40 it's yours.

-Yeah!

-£40, that's plus £20 on that, you are £28 up.

-Well done.

-So what are you going to do?

Are you going to bank it, or are you going to go on?

-Bank it.

-You're going to bank it. You're going to bank it.

-Yes.

-You're banking it. You're certain?

-For certain.

-Here it comes.

Masonic interest, it's the Edwin Salcock ink sketch.

I have one bid and I will start it at that one bid at the £18.

18 and 20. 20 and 2.

At 22. 25. 28 and 30. 30 by the door and 5.

40 and 5. 50. At £45, it's with me. At 45 with me.

At 45 and 50 do I see? 50. 55. 60.

-At 55 with me.

-That is a good auctioneer.

-Yes.

At £55 all done.

Sorry, guys, 55.

Really trying for you. £55.

Well, that would have been a loss of £65, but you didn't go with it.

You were very wise to bank your money at £28.

So you're £28 up and the big thing now is don't discuss it with the Blues.

We certainly won't.

-Now, Anita, James, do you know how the Reds got on?

-No.

-You haven't been following our agricultural cousins?

-No.

As they came up the stairs. Did you see them? Did they look enthusiastic or a bit sad?

-They looked pretty neutral really.

-Did they?

-Yes they did.

First up is James' rattle and here i comes.

The 19th century wooden police rattle. Where shall we start it?

15 if you like. 15. 18. 20. 20 and 2.

Go on! 22 well done! 25.

25. 28.

No, that's a definite shake. At 25. 28 anywhere?

At £25 at the front.

28 do I see? All sure?

-25, that is minus 15.

-Oh, dear.

Now, here we go with the fag case, Anita.

The early 20th century barrel-shaped cigarette box. Who wants it at 10?

£10 bid, standing at 10. 12. 15. at 12 seated, 15 now.

At 12. 15? 14 then?

-Go on.

-Yes?

-Good auctioneer.

-He is good, isn't he?

How about 13?

I'll take it. 12.50. 13. 50.

I'm not proud! At £13 seated.

At 13, anybody else?

That's brilliant. It's only minus £1 and he did really well for you.

Now the magnifying box.

A really lovely little lot.

Derbyshire alabaster, it has scenes of Derbyshire inside.

I have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven bids on it.

Please, let there be big bids.

The lowest bid's 28. And I've got 40, 45, 48.

55 starts it. At £55 and 60 now. At 55 then.

All the bids, absentee bids, at £55. I think that's about right for it.

At 55. 55 does it.

-Oh, dear, three losses, 45, 55, 60, minus £61.

-Ow!

Ow! That's a bit of an "ouch", isn't it?

But don't despair, you've got the bonus buy.

What are you going to do with the bonus buy? Are you going to go with it?

-Are you really?

-Yeah.

-After all that?

Black painted cat playing with her ball of wool

and slightly more unusual, being the posy holder with the open back.

But a nice lot and £32 is bid. At 32. 35 now. At £32 and 5 do I see?

35 anywhere? At £32.

All done. Absentee bid at 32 is against you in the room at £32.

-What a good start.

-Minus £3, I know. Well, it's tough, isn't it?

Overall when you went with that, it is minus £64.

But let's not put the Reds out of their agony, right?

-This could be a winning score.

-Oh, really?

All will be revealed in a moment.

-So nobody knows nothing about nothing, right?

-Yes.

-At least as far as the scores are concerned. Yes, you've not been talking?

-No.

Well, it's a question today of some tea and sympathy being due,

and the tea and sympathy in large quantities

-has to go with the Blues.

-Oh, dear.

It is not a happy line-up of profits I'm going to be outlining here, and therefore you've been a great team.

I mean, mother and son, I mean, you stuck together.

You played the game with your expert. You can walk tall.

You just haven't done terribly well!

-So moving on then to the victors!

-Yeah!

Who are actually going to go home with money - which is a rare enough occurrence.

-£28, boys, is coming at you.

-Yeah.

-£28 you go home with.

You made some good profits there, Horner's hatpin was absolutely brilliant

and the oak box did nicely, Kate. Well done for all that.

You did not go with the bonus buy, which strategically was good.

You preserved your £28 and have you had a nice time?

-Fantastic.

-We've had a brilliant time.

And I hope you're going to watch Bargain Hunt every day from the farmyard in the future.

-Of course.

-We certainly are, too.

-We've had a great time. Join us soon for more bargain hunting, yes?

-Yes!

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